Best College & Education in New York — 15 resources

About College & Education for Women

Education resources for women include FAFSA-based federal aid (Pell Grants up to ~$7,000/year), the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), Title IX protections against sex discrimination on campus, and dedicated single-mother scholarships through the Jeannette Rankin Foundation, Soroptimist Live Your Dream Awards, and Patsy Takemoto Mink Education Foundation. Community colleges offer low-cost two-year degrees and trade certificates, often with CCAMPIS-grant subsidized on-campus childcare. AAUW funds career development grants and fellowships for women. GED and HiSET programs run through state adult education offices, usually free. This directory covers FAFSA offices, community colleges, adult education, and women's scholarships.

College & Education in New York

New York has separate Family Court (for custody, support, paternity, DV) and Supreme Court (for divorce) systems. NYC's Family Court operates in all five boroughs. The Office of Child Support Services runs enforcement. NYC, Buffalo, Rochester, Yonkers, and Syracuse are the major metros. Legal Aid Society of NYC, Sanctuary for Families, NYLAG, and the NYS Coalition Against Domestic Violence serve women.

15 Resources

1. New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) — Free

Based in Albany, New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) supports New York women navigating financial aid, GED, college re-entry, and adult learner support. Contact (888) 697-4372 to ask about appointments, documents to bring, and waitlist status. Hours are Mon-Fri 8am-5pm, and walk-ins may be accepted depending on staffing. No fee for eligible women, with intake handled confidentially.

(888) 697-4372 · 99 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12255 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

2. FAFSA — New York — Free

Federal student aid application for women seeking degrees, certificates, and career training. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for women seeking degrees, certificates, and career training who need vetted, plain-language information on enrollment counseling, financial aid, scholarships, and adult learner support. Hours 24/7 online — free for qualifying women.

(800) 433-3243 · Online application · 24/7 online · Visit Website

3. SUNY — State University of New York

SUNY — State University of New York provides financial aid, GED, college re-entry, and adult learner support for women in New York. Call (800) 342-3811 to start intake or ask which services you qualify for. Hours are Mon-Fri 8am-5pm, and walk-ins may be accepted depending on staffing. Paid service with sliding-scale or insurance billing for qualifying women.

(800) 342-3811 · Statewide system · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

4. New York GED Program — Free

New York GED Program provides financial aid, GED, college re-entry, and adult learner support for women in New York. Call (518) 474-8940 to start intake or ask which services you qualify for. Open Varies — confirm by phone before driving in. Free for qualifying New York mothers and their children.

(518) 474-8940 · Multiple locations statewide · Varies · Visit Website

5. ASAP (Accelerated Study in Associate Programs) — CUNY — Free

ASAP (Accelerated Study in Associate Programs) — CUNY is a New York education resource helping mothers with financial aid, GED, college re-entry, and adult learner support. Phone (212) 794-5555 for case-by-case eligibility, current openings, and next steps. Available Mon-Fri 9am-5pm; the team can answer questions about documents and timing. Free for qualifying New York mothers and their children.

(212) 794-5555 · CUNY campuses · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

6. FAFSA — studentaid.gov — Free

Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Apply for Pell Grants, federal loans, and work-study for women seeking degrees, certificates, and career training. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for women seeking degrees, certificates, and career training who need vetted, plain-language information on enrollment counseling, financial aid, scholarships, and adult learner support. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

7. Federal Pell Grant — Free

Need-based grant of up to $7,395/year for undergraduate students. Does not need to be repaid for women seeking degrees, certificates, and career training. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for women seeking degrees, certificates, and career training who need vetted, plain-language information on enrollment counseling, financial aid, scholarships, and adult learner support. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

8. AAUW Educational Funding — Free

American Association of University Women — fellowships and grants for women pursuing degrees. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for women seeking degrees, certificates, and career training who need vetted, plain-language information on enrollment counseling, financial aid, scholarships, and adult learner support. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

9. P.E.O. International — Women's Education — Free

Multiple scholarship and loan programs supporting women pursuing higher education. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for women seeking degrees, certificates, and career training who need vetted, plain-language information on enrollment counseling, financial aid, scholarships, and adult learner support. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

10. Soroptimist Live Your Dream Awards — Free

Education grants for women who are primary financial support for their families and pursuing education. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for women seeking degrees, certificates, and career training who need vetted, plain-language information on enrollment counseling, financial aid, scholarships, and adult learner support. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

11. Jeannette Rankin Foundation — Free

Scholarships for low-income women age 35+ pursuing technical/vocational training or undergraduate degrees. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for women seeking degrees, certificates, and career training who need vetted, plain-language information on enrollment counseling, financial aid, scholarships, and adult learner support. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

12. Patsy Mink Education Foundation — Free

Education support and scholarships for low-income mothers pursuing post-secondary education. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for women seeking degrees, certificates, and career training who need vetted, plain-language information on enrollment counseling, financial aid, scholarships, and adult learner support. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

13. Scholarships.com — Free

Free national scholarship search engine with millions of scholarships for women, minorities, and adult learners. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for women seeking degrees, certificates, and career training who need vetted, plain-language information on enrollment counseling, financial aid, scholarships, and adult learner support. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

14. College Board — BigFuture — Free

Free college planning, scholarship search, and SAT prep from the College Board for women seeking degrees, certificates, and career training. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for women seeking degrees, certificates, and career training who need vetted, plain-language information on enrollment counseling, financial aid, scholarships, and adult learner support. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

15. Khan Academy — Free SAT Prep — Free

Free official SAT practice in partnership with the College Board for women seeking degrees, certificates, and career training. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for women seeking degrees, certificates, and career training who need vetted, plain-language information on enrollment counseling, financial aid, scholarships, and adult learner support. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

Frequently Asked

How many college & education resources are in New York?
Women's Corner tracks 15 college & education resources for women in New York.
Are college & education resources in New York free?
14 of the 15 listed college & education resources in New York are explicitly free or low-cost.
Which cities in New York have college & education resources?
Listings span cities including Albany.
What are some examples of college & education resources in New York?
Featured entries include New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), FAFSA — New York, SUNY — State University of New York, New York GED Program, ASAP (Accelerated Study in Associate Programs) — CUNY.
Do these listings include phone numbers?
5 of 15 New York college & education listings include phone numbers.
How do I pay for college as a single mom?
Start with FAFSA at studentaid.gov — single moms typically qualify for the maximum Pell Grant (up to $7,395/year, not repaid). Add state grants, Federal Work-Study, and scholarships specifically for single mothers (Patsy Takemoto Mink Foundation, Soroptimist Live Your Dream, Jeannette Rankin Foundation). Many community colleges have Single Parent Programs with childcare, books, and emergency funds.
Can I go to college while on welfare?
Yes — TANF rules now count post-secondary education toward work requirements in most states, especially CTE/vocational programs. The CCAMPIS program funds free on-campus childcare at hundreds of colleges. SNAP students with kids under 12 qualify for SNAP E&T benefits. Tell your TANF caseworker you're enrolling — they often have hidden funds for books, transportation, and uniforms.
How do I get a GED?
GED classes are free at adult education centers, community colleges, libraries, and online through GED.com and Khan Academy. The exam costs
6–
44 depending on state, and many states waive fees for low-income test-takers. Call 211 or search 'adult education' + your state. Most centers offer free childcare during classes.
Are there scholarships specifically for women?
Yes — AAUW, P.E.O. International, Jeannette Rankin Foundation (women 35+), Society of Women Engineers, Live Your Dream Awards, and hundreds of state-specific awards target women, especially returning students and mothers. Search Fastweb and Scholarships.com filtered for 'women' and your major. Apply to many small scholarships — they're less competitive than big ones.